Beyond the Sea

A dramatization of the life of Bobby Darin who worked his way from shady nightclubs to his dream destination, the Copacabana. He was a marvel at singing, songwriting and performing and known for such hits as Mack the knife, Splish splash, Dream lover and Beyond the sea.

Props to Kevin Spacey for the many hats he wore in this endeavor. Director, co-writer, producer, lead actor, singer, dancer... Too much, though. He bit off more than he could chew. He should've passed on directing, and stuck with his exemplary portrayal of Darin, period. Adult Bobby conversing with young Bobby, and the dance sequences, bursting out in song -- it just didn't work. There wasn't enough time devoted to the man and his life. Too much fluff. But I again commend Spacey for his crooning, and his resemblance. The role was offered to Leonardo DiCaprio, and were that the case, I wouldn't be reviewing this movie. Not a fan. And I beg to differ -- Bobby Darin was, by no means, a "3rd rate pop singer". He had million-selling singles in musical categories as diverse as Jazz/Swing, Country & Western, Folk, and Rhythm and Blues. Darin was hailed as a brilliant performer from industry giants as diverse as Johnny Mercer, Perry Como and Henry Mancini on the one hand, and Neil Young, Rod Stewart and Elvis Presley on the other. Darin is a member of both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the American Songwriters and Composers (ASCAP) Hall of Fame. Add to all of this the fact that Darin, despite making less than a dozen films, was nominated for an Academy Award as Best Supporting Actor ("Captain Newman, M.D.") and was the recipient of the Golden Globe Best Actor Award ("Pressure Point"). He was nominated for four Grammies in 1959 and won two of them ("Best New Vocalist" and "Song of the Year" for "Mack the Knife"). He was nominated again in 1963 in the category of Best Rhythm and Blues vocalist ("What'd I Say"), and then was nominated still again in 1966 in the category for Best Male Ballad Singer ("If I Were A Carpenter"). And let's not forget that Darin was nominated and/or received these Grammies when the competition included Frank Sinatra, Jack Jones, Vic Damone, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee and Tony Bennett. "3rd rate"? I think not. Nice try.

What is it about Hollywood that they have to make a drama out of every bleeding sport or 3rd rate pop singer the US has ever produced? I give Spacey lots of credit - he was great as always - but what a snore of a story. I'd rather watch a US remake of some brilliant European film or perhaps Halloween 14 than another mediocre biographical blunder.